Wastewater flush

Recently, John O’Neil, Johnson county wastewater general manager, advised his board and the county commissioners that an increase in water and wastewater fees was necessary as the citizens successful water conservation efforts have resulted in lower revenues (6/3, “County proposes hike in wastewater fees ; Official cites dropping water use as one reason”). Some of us are asking was this total arrogance, incompetence or insanity on Mr. O’Neil’s part or just a total lack of business acumen.

Water usage through Johnson County wastewater has dropped 17 percent since 2003 and the reward to the citizen users for their efforts and sacrifice is higher rates. Come on, Mr. O’Neil.

Let’s reduce our costs to maintain the same billing rate to our county citizens. Every citizen and business person has reduced expenditures to match changes in revenue. Why not you?

Also, Olathe’s Don Siefert falls into the same category of just raising rates instead of exhibiting intelligent management techniques used in the private sector to reduce costs instead of just rolling over and passing the alleged costs on to the citizens.

 

This is poor management, and county commissioners and city council members should put a stop to this irresponsible practice of just raising rates and instruct their managers to adjust their cost structure and maintain the same rate plan.

If conservation and green initiatives mean higher costs to citizens as a reward for their sacrifice, then the process is wrong and corrupted.

George Benjamin

Olathe

Comments

[JoCo]

Maybe the rate increase has something to do with running tie-in lines for supply and drainage all the way south to Greeley. Maybe things will return to "normal" when they start to tap those new households.